Upset Of Gators Has Tigers Roaring

Fantastic Friday - SEC notebook

October 17, 1997|By Chris Harry of The Sentinel Staff

It wasn't enough that Louisiana State knocked Florida from its perch atop both major polls with Saturday's shocking 28-21 victory. Nope, the Tigers had to rub it in afterward, and don't think for a second that anyone without UF ties has any sympathy for the fallen Gators.

''Florida's a finesse team that likes to pass the ball,'' LSU junior defensive tackle Anthony McFarland said. ''They got a young quarterback who's never been in a hostile place like this before, and in the fourth quarter, we outlasted their (offensive) line and they quit. They didn't want no more of us.''

And there was this from senior defensive tackle Chuck Wiley: ''Nebraska beat 'em a couple of years ago, so you knew they weren't invincible. Florida State beat 'em last year, so you know they weren't invincible. So we showed them they weren't invincible, and now they're on their bus crying. Their coach (Steve Spurrier) was on the sideline, hitting everyone with his visor. They thought they were big, flashing their 1996 national-championship rings. That was 1996, baby! They have no shot in 1997. It's over for them. We took down No. 1, and they're outta here!''

TIDE AND VOLS

IT'S ONE day from ''the third Saturday in October,'' which means Alabama and Tennessee. The game is lacking its luster, thanks to a disappointing Crimson Tide squad, but the Volunteers are thinking SEC Eastern Division title, what with Florida's loss and the Gators headed to Auburn without their starting quarterback.

''It's certainly good from our standpoint,'' Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. ''It should (help motivate), but the most important thing is to take care of our business and pull for other teams to beat Florida. They've proven to be beatable.''

NEW OUTLOOK

JUST AS Florida's loss has stirred up questions, the South Carolina Gamecocks think they're closer to finding answers to their struggling season after beating Kentucky, 38-24, last week.

''We came a little closer to the level we believe this team can compete at,'' coach Brad Scott said. ''We haven't solved all our problems, but this was a step in the right direction.''

The Gamecocks ran for 204 yards after gaining minus-3 the week before against Auburn. South Carolina hopes to continue the trend Saturday at Arkansas.

REBEL AMBUSH?

THIS IS a dangerous week for LSU. How many times has a team pulled out a emotionally draining win over a superior opponent, only to fall on its face against an inferior one the next week? That said, Mississippi comes to town Saturday for a game that was moved from 7 p.m. to 12:40 p.m. to accommodate television. Advantage, Rebels.

''That's one place you don't want to play at night,'' said coach Tommy Tuberville of ''Death Valley.'' Mississippi lost by 10 at Auburn and 14 at Tennessee, but it was in both games late and is confident it can hang with the Tigers.

DON'T DOZE

VANDERBILT'S HOMECOMING game against Georgia this week, previously scheduled for a 2 p.m. kickoff, was switched last week to 9 p.m. to accommodate ESPN2. The move has everybody upset, from homecoming organizers to a visiting team that is looking at a very late night. Yet, Vandy agreed to the deal to get its program on television.